Research at the University of North Dakota generated record levels of external awards and expenditures for fiscal year 2007. Sponsored program awards reached the level of $100.2 million as of June 30, with an estimated additional $600,000 yet to be tabulated. UND’s Strategic Plan II, Building on Excellence, set as a goal an increase in externally supported research and development and other externally funded activity to the level of $100 million annually by 2007.

“This threshold is a very important one, in that it moves us solidly into a group of leading doctoral research institutions in the country. It is also gratifying that this goal was achieved as a direct result of some very thorough strategic consideration of areas of opportunity and where a university of our caliber should be in the future,” said UND President Charles Kupchella.

“Especially pleasing to me personally was to see faculty respond to the call to become more entrepreneurial in seeking funding for their work across all of the University’s disciplines. It is even more gratifying to know that a an ever greater percentage of our students are being taught by faculty who are practicing their disciplines at a level that earns and deserves external validation and support. It, of course, gives students opportunities themselves to be engaged in cutting-edge research that is now the standard of scholarship at the University of North Dakota."

Research Grant and Contract awards reached an all-time high of $89.2 million, and sponsored program expenditures also set a record at $86.0 million. Unrestricted and other awards, such as faculty research seed money and graduate tuition waivers, brought the extramural support above the $100 million mark. At the end of fiscal year 2007, the University’s research portfolio included $317 million in total ongoing and committed accounts. University researchers submitted a near-record 967 proposals to external agencies (seven less than the record number submitted in FY 2006) requesting some $350 million during the year. UND received a record 729 awards.

The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) led UND units in awards received with record funding of $37.2 million, an increase of 15 percent from the $32.3 million received in FY06. Other leading UND units include the School of Medicine and Health Sciences with $16.7 million of awards received, followed by the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences at $10.9 million.

The top three UND units in annual research expenditures include the EERC at $27.0 million, the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at $18.9 million, and the Northern Great Plains Center for People and the Environment at $6.3 million.

The economic impact of UND research to the city and state is significant. In FY 2006, for example, research expenditures resulted in the creation of more than 1,500 jobs, adding an additional $162 million to the regional economy, $6 million in state and local taxes, and $25 million in federal taxes. The impact of FY 2007, when calculated, is expected to be even greater based on the increased level of awards and expenditures. The commercialization of inventions and technologies stemming from UND research will have an additional economic impact. UND's overall economic impact is about $1 billion, according to the North Dakota University System.

Dr. Gary Johnson, UND Interim Vice President for Research, noted that “the credit for reaching the sponsored program awards goal is a tremendous tribute to our faculty and staff who have embraced an enhanced research culture at UND. Awards and expenditures are up some 40 percent in the last five years. Research generated revenue from external sources has grown to a level such that it now accounts for a larger proportion of UND annual revenue than state appropriations. In FY 2006, grants and contracts accounted for 28 percent of the revenue. The FY 2007 numbers are not yet available, but we expect that trend to continue. The University’s main focus at this point in our growth as a research institution is to respond to the success of our researchers by providing faculty with the support, encouragement and tools they need to get the job done.”

Following is the tobacco-free policy which will be implemented Friday, Oct. 5. If you have comments about this policy, please contact Phil Harmeson, vice president for general administration, Office of the President, 300 Twamley Hall (Stop 8193) or e-mail philharmeson@mail.und.edu. - Charles Kupchella, president.

Tobacco-free UND: A policy to become effective Oct. 5, 2007.

I. History leading up to the establishment of a tobacco-free policy:

The President and the Healthy UND Coalition have engaged the campus community in discussions about a tobacco-free policy since the fall of 2006. Forums and meetings have been held with a variety of stakeholders throughout the year. Student Senate, University Senate, and Staff Senate have passed resolutions of support for the development of a tobacco-free policy.

II. Tobacco-free policy
The University of North Dakota will become a tobacco-free campus on Friday, Oct. 5, 2007. The use of tobacco will be prohibited on all University-owned property not otherwise leased by outside entities. The details of the policy are presented here now (Sept. 6) for general campus review and comment over the next 30 days. Publication of the policy in advance of its effective date is meant to elicit suggestions about the details and nuances of the policy. Comments and suggestions for modification of the final policy should be directed to Phil Harmeson, vice president for general administration, Office of the President, 300 Twamley Hall (Stop 8193) or e-mail philharmeson@mail.und.edu.

UND Tobacco-Free Policy
I. Purpose
The University of North Dakota tobacco-free campus policy provides a healthy working and learning environment. The purpose of this policy is to reduce harm from secondhand smoke, provide an environment that encourages persons to be tobacco-free, establish a campus culture of wellness, reduce health-insurance and health-care costs, and promote a tobacco-free future.

The 2006 U.S. Surgeon General's Report states that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Breathing secondhand smoke for even a short time can be harmful and set processes in motion such as cancer, heart disease, or respiratory conditions.

II. Policy
The University of North Dakota shall be a tobacco-free campus. The use of tobacco is prohibited within university buildings, parking structures, walkways, arenas, in university or state fleet vehicles, and on university owned property, not otherwise leased to another organization. (Certain university-owned properties have been leased to other organizations and, as such, these properties are not covered under this UND policy. Tenants of such properties are encouraged to establish tobacco-free worksite policies for their own employees.) Otherwise, this policy applies to all faculty, staff, students, contractors, vendors, and visitors at all UND sites. In support, the University of North Dakota provides comprehensive tobacco cessation and prevention services (see http://www.undstudenthealth.com/tobacco.html).

Tobacco use includes the possession of any lighted tobacco product, or the use of any oral tobacco product.

III. Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of all members of the campus community, including visitors, to observe this policy.

All administrators, deans, directors, department chairs, and supervisors will communicate the policy to everyone within their areas of responsibility.

The Safety and Environmental Health Office is responsible for determining policy applicability and will answer policy related questions.

It is the responsibility of the University of North Dakota Student Health Services and Work Well, employee wellness program, to provide information regarding tobacco prevention and cessation.

IV. Procedures
The policy will be communicated to all members of the campus community. Education regarding the University's tobacco-free policy will be included in formal orientation for all incoming students and employees.

Signage will be posted sufficient to inform members of the campus community and its visitors, including contractors and vendors, of the policy.

Compliance with this policy is the shared responsibility and the right of all UND staff, students, and faculty members. The success of this policy will depend upon the courtesy, respect, and cooperation of users and non-users of tobacco products.

President Charles Kupchella and First Lady Adele Kupchella are traveling to the Kyrgyz Republic to sign an historic accord with Osh State University (OSU) that will expand UND’s international presence.

“The Kyrgyz Republic is part of a key strategic area in the world, and we are thrilled to lead this mission to one of the largest universities in Central Asia,” Kupchella said. “When I hosted OSU Rector Mukhtar Orozbekov here at UND last year, we agreed that our two universities and our respective regions shared many common interests.”

Orozbekov visited UND, in part, to learn more about the school’s top-notch distance education programs. UND at the time also was hosting Fulbright scholar Sabira Kalygulova, a professor of English and dean of languages at OSU. Both Orozbekov and Kalygulova also were enthusiastic about expanding scholar exchange opportunities between the two universities.

“Like North Dakota, Kyrgystan, a former Soviet republic, is largely a rural area. Many of the students we serve are seeing the big city for the first time when they come to us, and many more who live in very remote areas depend distance learning to get their college education,” said Orozbekov, who is a Russian-trained Ph.D. civil engineer. “I think it’s essential for us to significantly strengthen and upgrade our distance learning capabilities. I see it as a key part of my country’s economic development.”

After signing a memorandum of understanding at UND to explore further ways to cooperate, including faculty and students exchanges, Orozbekov invited Kupchella to visit OSU and said he planned to show Kupchella and First Lady Adele the college, the town, and the Osh region.

Kupchella is expected to sign draft agreements with Orozbekov to help OSU develop expanded distance learning capabilities, including the addition of more English language instruction. Also, UND will be offering OSU two tuition-waiver scholarships for eligible Kyrgyz students. During his stay, Kupchella is hosting a UND “get-acquainted” evening banquet that will include the mayor of Osh and other dignitaries keen to see this new international partnership succeed.

In addition, Orozbekov has established a “UND Room” at OSU, which will feature Internet-accessible computers, UND, Grand Forks, and North Dakota publicity materials, course catalogs, and related publications. The UND Chester Fritz Library has also shipped several boxes of publications and books about the University and the region, including histories and research materials and several back issues of the North Dakota Quarterly. All of this material will be available at OSU’s UND Room.

In August, the UND Presidential Search Committee met for the purpose of considering a preliminary draft of a profile for the presidential position. The draft profile is available at the presidential aearch information web site at http://www.und.edu/presidentialsearch/. A final draft of the profile will be submitted to the State Board of Higher Education for approval.

Prior to finalizing the draft, the committee is making every effort to receive input from key constituencies affected by the search, i.e. faculty, staff, students, alumni, and members of the community who care about the University and are committed to its success. Numerous sessions have been scheduled over a two-week period, Sept. 4-14, for each member of the campus community; the complete forum schedule is posted on the Presidential Search Information web site and also is below. The forums are intended to give every individual an opportunity to provide the committee with information and opinions about the critical questions at the heart of the Profile:

(1) What are the attractions of UND that would appeal to a highly-qualified individual?
(2) What will be the major opportunities and challenges the next president will face? and
(3) What characteristics and competencies should the next president possess?

The list of forums below is by date, time, location and constituency group. Please pass this information along to any interested individuals or groups:

Campus community invited to open forum with VP for Research candidates

University researchers and other members of the campus community are invited to open forum sessions with candidates for the position of Vice President for Research. Candidates will give a brief talk on their research philosophy and there will be a question and answer period following their presentations.

Chuck Staben, Ph.D., will visit campus Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 11-13. He will give his public talk at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, in Room 16-18, Swanson Hall. Dr. Staben is currently the acting vice president for research at the University of Kentucky, and has served as their associate vice president for research since 2005.

Jim Petell, Ph.D., will give his public talk at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 14, in Room 16-18 Swanson Hall. Dr. Petell has served as UND’s technology transfer and commercialization director since 2004 and as the executive director of the UND Research Foundation since 2005.

Wayne Watkins, J.D., will visit campus Wednesday through Friday, Sept. 19-21. He will give his public talk at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, in Room 16-18 Swanson Hall. Mr. Watkins has served as the associate vice president for research at the University of Akron since 2000 and has been the administrator of the University of Akron Research Foundation since 2001.

These candidate’s CVs can be found on the Vice President for Research web site at www.und.edu/dept/research. Everyone is welcome to attend these sessions.
--H. David Wilson, M.D., vice president for health affairs and dean, and chair, vice president for research search committee.

UND will sign an exchange agreement with Alexander I. Herzen University in St. Petersburg, Russia, at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, in the office of the provost and vice president for academic affairs, third floor, Twamley Hall. Vladimir Laptev, vice rector for the Alexander I. Herzen University and Greg Weisenstein, UND provost and vice president for academic affairs, will sign the exchange agreement.

Dr. Laptev has served as the vice rector for the Alexander I. Herzen University for over 18 years. He is a leading figure in higher education in the Russian Republic and is responsible for overseeing all advanced degree programs in the nation. Vice Rector Laptev has his doctorate and post doctorate in physics.

Leeka Lapteva [in Russian, the "a" denotes feminine gender; it is permissible to use the name without the "a"], Dr. Laptev’s wife, also has her degrees in physics and is the principal of three international schools in St. Petersburg. Her schools enjoy a global reputation for their quality of teaching, innovative teaching techniques, and organization. The international schools integrate students from many different countries with students from the St. Petersburg region.

The University of North Dakota is the only university that the Laptevs are visiting. They are working with administration and staff of UND to develop exchange programs and collaborative scientific research.

The Fall Study Abroad Fair is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, at the International Centre, 2908 University Ave.

Each semester the Office of International Programs sponsors a Study Abroad Fair. This event showcases the study abroad programs available for our students, both UND programs and programs provided through affiliated providers. Students can explore their study abroad options and talk with program representatives, past students, and Education Abroad staff.

Please encourage students to take advantage of this opportunity to explore their options by attending the Study Abroad Fair at the International Centre, across from the Memorial Union. Your support and encouragement is extremely important.-- Neva Hendrickson, Education Abroad Advisor, Office of International Programs, nevahendrickson@mail.und.edu, 777-3301

The final examination for Tracy Wright, a candidate for the Ph.D. degree with a major in nursing, is set for noon Sept. 13, in Room 212, College of Nursing. The dissertation title is "Instrument Development and Psychometric Analysis: Nurses' Urinary Incontinence Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices." Julie Anderson (nursing) is the committee chair. The public is invited to attend. -- Joseph Benoit, Dean, Graduate School, gailholweger@mail.und.edu, 777-4005

Salaheddin Al-Bashir from the Kingdom of Jordan will present the Oscar and Amelia Fode Memorial Law Lecture at 4:15 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, in the Baker Courtroom, School of Law. The lecture is free and open to the public. His presentation is titled, "Reform, Development and Rule of Law." A reception will follow the keynote address.

Dr. Al-Bashir is the former Minister of Justice and Minister of Cabinet Affairs of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. He is the founder and managing partner of International Business Legal Associates, which is one of the largest and leading law firms in Jordan, with an integral presence in the Kingdom’s dynamic legal developments and commercial expansion. Al-Bashir holds a bachelor's degree in law from Jordan University, an LL.M from Harvard University, and a doctorate from McGill University.

This is the 25th anniversary of the Fode lecture created by family members in memory of Oscar and Amelia Fode because of their lifelong interest in education, and in the young people of North Dakota. The Fodes were prominent in business in Jamestown, N.D. They began an automobile business known as Midwest Motors in Jamestown in 1929, subsequently establishing Midwest Credit Co., Midwest Machine Co., Midwest Insurance Co., and Dakota Sales and Service, which Oscar continued to operate until his death in 1971. Amelia passed away in 1961. -- Rob Carolin, Director of Alumni and Public Relations, Law School, carolin@law.und.edu, 7-2856

“Come, See and Try for FREE” grand opening events begin with a free small coffee Thursday, Sept. 13, (in-store only, no drive-thru). Stop by Stomping Grounds Coffee Shop’s second location in the new student housing building, University Place, located just west of the Chester Fritz Auditorium. The first floor coffee shop and lounge are open to the public. Come, See and Try for FREE Events will continue Tuesday, Sept. 18, with a free yogurt parfait; Wednesday, Sept. 26, a free gourmet hot chocolate; and Thursday, Oct. 4, a free mini monster cookie. You will also get free samples of a variety of UND bakery items, fresh fruit smoothies, gourmet trail mix, Big Trains, caramel apple cider, and take n’ bake pizza.

Stomping Grounds University Place opens at 7 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. weekends. Short term parking is available on Stanford Road. -- Jeffrey St. Michel, Assistant Director, Dining Services, jeffreystmichel@mail.und.edu, 7-3823

The Department of Accountancy in the College of Business and Public Administration is pleased to announce a special tree dedication in memory of Jake Wambsganss, former professor of accounting. The dedication will take place at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, on the west side of Gamble Hall, in the lawn areas between Gamble and Johnstone-Fulton residence hall. Everyone in the University community is invited to attend. A small reception will follow the dedication in the Page Family Marketing Center Conference Room in Gamble Hall.

Wambsganns passed away in February 2007 after a brave fight against cancer. He was a professor in the Department of Accountancy and was a member of the UND faculty for 15 years, where he also served as the College of Business and Public Administration’s MBA director. Wambsganss was an avid gardener and horticulturist, who enjoyed planting fruit trees on his personal farm outside of Fordville, N.D. The Department of Accountancy will plant and dedicate a spring snow flowering crab apple tree in his honor. Please join the College of Business and Public Administration and the accounting faculty in remembering Jake Wambsganss’s service to the University at this special dedication Friday, Sept. 14, at 1:30 p.m., on the west side of Gamble Hall.-- CK Schultz, Director, External Relations, College of Business & Public Administration, ck.schultz@mail.business.und.edu, 777-6937

Don't miss the kick off for 2007-2008 Sioux fan luncheons. Celebrate Potato Bowl 2007 with Sioux fans and coaches Friday, Sept. 14. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., with the program at noon.

Sioux Fan luncheons feature a great lunch, 50/50 drawing, hear the coaches talk about past games and upcoming games, and be entertained by the 42nd Street Symphony. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the program starts shortly after noon. Come join us for food, entertainment, and camaraderie. Everyone is welcome to attend. Cost of a buffet style meal including beverage, dessert, and tax is $8.50.

Looking for something to do Saturday afternoon? Enjoy the Art & Wine Walk in downtown Grand Forks and East Grand Forks. On Saturday, Sept. 15, from 2 to 5 p.m., stroll through downtown and view work by local artists at galleries, bars, restaurants and other businesses that will serve wine samples or other non-alcoholic refreshment. Most artwork will be available for purchase, and artists will be on hand to discuss their work.

The Art & Wine Walk begins at the Empire Arts Center, where maps can be purchased for $10. All ages are welcome to attend, and those over 21 will receive a wristband, allowing participation in wine tasting. At each participating business, the map will be stamped (wine consumption is not required to receive a stamp). Turn in the map at the end of the Walk to enter a drawing for one of two gift baskets of prizes donated by participating businesses.

The Art & Wine Walk is organized by the North Valley Arts Council and the Downtown Leadership Group, and is sponsored by the Greater Grand Forks Convention and Visitors Bureau, Clear Channel Radio, and Gilly’s Bar & Grill.

Another Art & Wine Walk is set for Oct. 20, from 2 to 5 p.m.

For more information, or to participate as a hosting business or an exhibiting artist, please contact the North Valley Arts Council at (701) 777-6120 or info@novac.org. -- Nicole Derenne, Executive Director, North Valley Arts Council, nicolederenne@novac.org, 701-777-6120

Most Americans know that July 4 is our nation's birthday. Surveys show that far fewer know that Sept. 17 is the birthday of our system of government, the date in 1787 on which 39 of the 55 original delegates to the Philadelphia Convention completed and signed the U.S. Constitution. This year, therefore, marks the 220th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution.

The Constitution embodies principles which inform our system of government and our relationship to it, including a commitment to the rule of law, the separation of powers and checks and balances among the three branches of government, federalism that marks the distinctive and cooperative authority of the federal government and the states, and the ideals of liberty, equality, and justice that undergird individual civil rights and liberties.

In 2004, federal law designated every Sept. 17 as Constitution Day. Constitution Day encourages Americans to remember the significance of the Constitution in establishing our system of government, securing our individual civil rights and liberties, and providing the means to keep government accountable to the people in times of war and peace.

In celebration of Constitution Day at UND, on Monday, Sept. 17, Associate Professor Steven Andrew Light of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration and the College of Business and Public Administration, and Floyd B. Sperry Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Kathryn Rand of the School of Law will open their Constitutional law classes to the public.

“We are pleased to support the efforts of UND to recognize Constitution Day, and to promote public understanding of what the Constitution means to all of us and how the U.S. Supreme Court interprets what the Constitution says,” said Light.

Added Rand, “By opening our classrooms, we can highlight how undergraduates as well as law students learn about the Constitution. That’s truly a unique dimension of how UND has chosen to celebrate this day.”

This Constitution Day celebration is sponsored by the Department of Political Science and Public Administration in conjunction with the School of Law and the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. For more information on these classes, please contact Karen Bowles at 777-3549.

The Physics Department will hold a free astronomy public talk and telescope observing session at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18, in 116 Witmer Hall. The title of the talk is "Understanding the Origin and Fate of Our Universe" by Wayne Barkhouse. Weather permitting, attendees will have the opportunity to observe the night sky through a telescope. For further information, please contact Dr. Barkhouse at wayne.barkhouse@und.nodak.edu or 701-777-3520.-- Wayne Barkhouse, Assistant Professor, Physics, wayne.barkhouse@und.nodak.edu, 701-777-3520

Please join us at the North Dakota Museum of Art from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. l8, for wine, cheese, and a book launch for Kim Donehower, associate professor of English and director of the Red River Valley Writing Project. Co-authors Charlotte Hogg, assistant professor of English at Texas Christian University, and Eileen E. Schell, associate professor of writing and rhetoric at Syracuse University, will also be present.

Their book, "Rural Literacies," is part of Southern Illinois Press's Series of Rhetoric and Composition Volumes. It challenges misrepresentations of rural literacy practices as backward and provincial. It addresses the lack of substantive research on literacy in rural areas. And it points the way toward strategies for learning about environmental sustainability and economic justice. All are welcome to attend. - Sherry O'Donnell, professor and chair, Department of English.

Romantic Salsa: A recipe to season your love life
Come taste the hottest salsa North Dakota can grow, while Pastor Bruce Fischer and his wife discuss romance. Bruce and Cilla have 26 years of marriage, decades of wedding ceremonies and 1000s of jars of salsa, in their pantry of experience, to share. The question of the evening: What can romance accomplish? As an added bonus, the Fischers will reveal how to take a zesty salsa and convert it into a quick, healthy, mouthwatering chili lunch and you will be able to take home your own jar of salsa!
Cost: $5.00

Sign up for class at the Welcome Desk by September 16th. (Non-members of the wellness center may sign up and attend Burnt Toast classes if they pick up a guest pass at the welcome desk before the class)
For more information please contact Leah Wagner at leahwagner@mail.und.nodak.edu

The North Dakota Museum of Art will host a dance and drum lecture and demonstration featuring traditional Sri Lankan performers from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18. At 7 p.m. at the Chester Fritz auditorium. There will be a performance of Ridma - The Rythms of Sri Lanka. This is a fun and culturally relevant performance featuring native Sri Lankan dancing, music, and costumes. Both events are free and open to the public. They are sponsored by UND's Multicultural Awareness Committee. -- Stephanie Windish, publicity chair, Multicultural Awareness Committee, stephanie.windish@und.nodak.edu, 701.471.6039

The On Teaching Box Lunch discussion series continues Wednesday, Sept. 19, with a session on “High Tech Teaching for Low Tech Teachers” from noon to 1 p.m. in the River Valley Room, Memorial Union. Led by Center for Instructional and Learning Technologies Assistant Director Lori Swinney, the discussion will center on technology available for faculty members to use in their classrooms. For already busy faculty members, sifting through all the available applications to decide which best suits his or her needs can seem like a daunting task. Then there’s the issue of learning how to use that technology. Some faculty members feel quite comfortable incorporating technology like Blackboard into their classes, but they may not be aware of other valuable tech tools available through CILT. Other faculty members may be wary of using technology in their classes because of concerns about the learning curve and issues like student use, or misuse, of that technology.

In this session we’ll discuss some of the new technology available through CILT, including new features on Blackboard, and offer some tips for implementing technology in your classroom. We’ll also see a demonstration from a professor who has put some of this technology to work in his class and hear about how it has worked for him.

Attendees are welcome to bring questions about using technology in their class to discuss with the group. To register and reserve a free box lunch, call Jana Hollands at 777-4998 by noon Monday, Sept. 17.-- Anne Kelsch, Director, Office of Instructional Development, anne.kelsch@und.edu, 7-4233

Meet, Eat and Learn will meet from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, at the International Centre, 2908 University Ave. Sue Thompson, graduate teaching assistant for the Student Success Center, will address “Laughter – Your Health Depends On It." She writes a weekly humor column called, "Welcome to my World," and has won honorable mention in the humorpress.com writing contest. Her article, "Multi-Tasking" will be published in a book by humorpress.com, which will be available in November 2007. Everyone is welcome, and lunch is provided.-- Patty McIntytre, Program Associate, Womens Center, undwomenscenter@und.nodak.edu, 74302

Three local musical groups are getting together to help raise money for Northwood Public Schools, which suffered major damage from a tornado Aug. 26. Children from the community are currently holding classes in other schools in the area until the damage can be repaired. It has been estimated that it may take most or all of the school year to repair the damage.

The groups that will perform at the concert are Little Bobby and the Storm, The Woodticks, and Prairie Rose. Little Bobby and the Storm are a blues band headquartered in Thief River Falls, Minn., that has been performing around the region for approximately five years. This will be one of their few appearances in Grand Forks this year. The Woodticks are a bluegrass band out of the Thief River Falls area. And Prairie Rose is a trio made up of a father and his two daughters from Grand Forks who perform bluegrass and country music. Each group will perform one set.

The Tornado Relief concert will be Thursday, Sept. 20, at 7:30 p.m. The concert will be held at the Empire Arts Center, 415 Demers Ave. Tickets will be $5 at the door. A free will offering will also be available if people would like to give more. All proceeds from the concert will go to a fund set up by the United Way for Northwood Tornado Relief and be specified to go to the Northwood Schools. For more information on the Tornado Relief concert call 701-746-5500. -- Empire Arts Center.

The Information Technology Systems and Services staff invites you to a retirement reception honoring Rose Keeley in the Alumni House from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20. Rose has been a part of the UND family, first as a student, then as faculty and staff for over 20 years. She received her master's degree in computer science and started teaching with that department in 1984. In 1990 she joined ITSS, or the Computer Center as it was known, and has worked both in microcomputer and mainframe support. When asked what her plans are after retirement, Rose sums it up with the following words: "Have motor home will travel." Please join us to wish her well!-- Craig Cerkowniak, Associate Director, ITSS, craigcerkowniak@mail.und.edu, 701-777-3171

The final examination for Jennifer Garaas, a candidate for the Ph.D. degree with a major in clinical psychology, is set for noon Sept. 21, in 210 Corwin-Larimore Hall. The dissertation title is "The Effects of Time of Day on Executive Function and Memory in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder." Tom Petros (psychology) is the committee chair. The public is invited to attend. -- Joseph Benoit, Dean, Graduate School, joseph.benoit@und.edu, 777-4005

The final examination for Shyla L. Muse, a candidate for the Ph.D. degree with a major in clinical psychology, is set for 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, in 210 Corwin-Larimore Hall. The dissertation title is "An Examination of Executive Function and Reading Ability in Children with a Reading Disability and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder." Tom Petros (psychology) is the committee chair. The public is invited to attend. -- Joseph Benoit, Dean, Graduate School, joseph.benoit@und.edu, 777-4005

Anyone interested in learning about a career in medicine, or the process of applying to medical school, is invited to attend the annual Pre-Med Day Saturday, Sept. 22, at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences. The free, day-long event begins with registration at 9:30 a.m. at the Karl Christian Wold, M.D., Bio-Information Learning Resources Center, the south end of the school, at 501 N. Columbia Road.

Organized by the UNDSMHS Student Council and UND Undergraduate Medical Association, the event is intended for people who are thinking about a career in medicine, or who have applied to medical school and need more specific information on the admissions process.

Speakers will introduce participants to the medical school, the admissions process, and the UND pre-med and medical school curricula. Panels of medical students will discuss what medical school is really like, and local physicians will talk about their lives as doctors. A mock interview session will give participants an opportunity to preview the UND medical school admissions process. Students may attend any or all events during the day.

Pre-registration is requested but not required; please call the Office of Student Affairs and Admissions at 777-2840. -- Shelley Pohlman, Asst. to the Director, Public Affairs, spohlman@gra.midco.net, 701-777-4305

Area women of all ages will learn about nourishing their bodies and souls during the second North Dakota Women’s Health Connection Saturday, Sept. 22, on the UND campus.

The free event will take place from 8 a.m. to noon at the Memorial Union and will feature talks and demonstrations on nutrition, Tai Chi and health and spirituality, as well as door prizes and a healthy breakfast.

Hensrud is chair of the Division of Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace Medicine and associate professor of preventive medicine and nutrition at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. He has served as editor-in-chief for “Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight for EveryBody,” a comprehensive and sensible approach to healthy eating, “The Mayo Clinic Plan – 10 Essential Steps to a Better Body and Healthier Life,” and the award-winning “The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook.” He also was instrumental in developing the Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Food Pyramid.

The North Dakota Women’s Health connection is organized by the North Dakota Women’s Health CORE located in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

“The National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health project has a focus on outreach and assisting women to become informed consumers and managers of their health and health care,” said Elizabeth Burns, director of the program and professor at the UND medical school. “We see this as an opportunity for women of the region to benefit from the program at UND.”

A group of the nation's top energy experts has been assembled for the opening panel at the upcoming Air Quality VI Conference beginning Sept. 24, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va. The panel will debate the challenges and opportunities facing the evolving energy industry.

Panelists include Larry Monroe, program manager for research at Southern Company Services, Inc.; Tom Sarkus, FutureGen project director, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL); John Harju, associate director for research at the Energy & Environmental Research Center; Robert Wayland, leader, Energy Strategies Group, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and Teresa Pugh, director, Environmental Services, American Public Power Association.

The electric utility industry is currently dealing with many uncertainties and issues relating to environmental regulations and emerging policy. The Clean Air Mercury Rule, the Clean Air Interstate Rule, recent state legislative actions, regional haze considerations, and the call for global carbon dioxide reduction all demand attention as utilities plan to meet existing and future generation needs.

"This panel consists of leading experts representing industry, government, environment, and research areas who will address emerging policy and issues facing the nation while considering the need to balance energy reliance with environmental responsibility and economic growth," said panel coordinator Mike Holmes, deputy associate director for research at the EERC.

More than 400 people from 40 states, four Canadian provinces, and 12 foreign countries are currently registered for Air Quality VI, which is the world's premier conference for discussing the current state of science, control technology, and policy for mercury, trace elements, SO3, particulate matter, and greenhouse gases in the environment.

The conference also provides informative sessions for industry, government, and research organizations on topics critical to our nation's energy infrastructure.

Air Quality VI is sponsored by the EERC, DOE NETL, the Center for Air Toxic Metals® through the EPA Office of Research and Development National Center for Environmental Research, and EPRI.

Keynote speakers include U.S. Sen. Kent Conrad, U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan, and Carl Bauer, director of NETL. The four-day event runs through Sept. 27 and is open to the public. For details about the program or to register, visit www.undeerc.org/AQVI.

The Global Vision Film Series is a forum that promotes diversity at UND and within the community of Grand Forks at large through the venue of internationally acclaimed award winning independent films. Film is a rich medium for the exploration of cultural diversity, the effects of globalization, human rights abuses, and the broad spectrum of human experiences that constitutes the nature of culture and the human condition. Every other Tuesday, the Global Visions Film Series shows a movie at the Memorial Union Lecture Bowl. Each film is an award winning film, recognized for its artistic scope and social impact. All films are open and free to UND students, faculty and Grand Forks community members. Several departments on the UND campus offer the films shown in the Global Visions Film Series as extra credit opportunities for students, who must write reviews and critiques of the issues presented in each of the outstanding films shown each semester. All films are Tuesday evening at 7 p.m., except “Nobody Knows” which is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 8. Films and dates follow:

The Global Visions Film Series is funded by the Multicultural Awareness Committee, a standing committee in the UND Student Government

"The Wind That Shakes the Barley," directed by Ken Loach, won the Palme d'Or at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. It takes its title from a 19th Century ballad by Robert Dwyer Joyce, one stanza of which ends: "…The mountain glen/ I'll seek at morning early/ And join the brave united men/ While soft winds shake the barley." Joyce's words, sung at a funeral in the film, seethe with a mix of pain and idealism, an undertow of plaintiveness and lament. And they distill the essence of Loach and writer Paul Laverty's film, which is set during a relatively brief time in the Irish guerrilla wars against the British, from late summer 1920 through the treaty signing of December 1921 and its aftermath. It's about the brave men in the rustling barley and morning light, and the bloodshed and fratricide that inevitably await them, especially the brothers Damien (Cillian Murphy) and Teddy (Padraic Delaney).

"Wind" is a beautiful film, harrowing, tough and rife with grief, and it uses the cloud-veiled Irish countryside as a backdrop for a truly sad tale of the time when the battles were fought, the Irish Free State was formed, the British left part of the country and the Irish rebels, formerly united against the English, finally splintered into factions of various political hues and began killing each other. What the film ultimately says is that the horrors of war cannot be assumed lightly -- even though the Irish were right to revolt and the British wrong to occupy their land. It also says, typically for Loach, that the Irish and English working classes have more in common with each other than with aristocrats like the film's haughty informer Sir John Hamilton (Roger Allam).

Loach ("Land and Freedom," "Kes") is one of the finest political filmmakers in the world, and an unusually stubborn one. He maintains a radical stance to this day, even as now, the prospects for peace, via a power-sharing agreement, are on the upswing. But "Wind" is no socialist tract. The movie is about the collision of political principles and human bonds and values, and it doesn't treat any of them lightly. Loach is on the side of the revolutionaries, but there isn't a moment of violence in the film that glorifies it or makes it exhilarating. Even though this is a period film, a grim, clear-eyed realism informs every scene. That's Loach's method. He's the master of the docu-drama or the realist social film, and "Wind" is one of his masterpieces. Courtesy of mwilmington@tribune.com-- Marcia Mikulak, Assistant Professor, Anthropology, marcia.mikulak@und.nodak.edu, 701-777-4718

UND aviation alumnus David Wright will be the featured guest speaker for the aviation fall safety meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, in the Chester Fritz Auditorium. Wright's presentation, "Say it Right! Radio Communication in Today's Airspace" is free and open to the public. All faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend.

Ever heard a radio call that made you scratch your head -- or worse yet, cringe? Most of us, at one point or another, have struggled to find the right words on the radio. Attend this free seminar and increase your communication know-how with practical tips on communicating in today's airspace. You'll also get straightforward advice on common pitfalls for VFR and IFR operations, communicating in an emergency, and coping with challenges at both towered and nontowered airports.

Plus, don't miss a rare opportunity to take part in a Q and A session with a local air traffic controller: be sure to bring the questions you have always wanted to ask!

You'll also learn:
*The three magic words every pilot should know.
*Some things you should check before squawking 7600 for lost communication.
*The popular phrase the 2007 AIM says should NOT be used under any circumstances.

The University Senate will meet at 4:05 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, in Room 7, Gamble Hall. Agenda items for this meeting are due in the Office of the Registrar by noon Thursday, Sept. 20. They may be submitted electronically to: lorihofland@mail.und.nodak.edu. It is recommended that some detail be included in the agenda items submitted. – Suzanne Anderson (registrar), secretary, University Senate.-- Lori Hofland, Administrative Assistant, Registrars Office, lorihofland@mail.und.nodak.edu, 777-3892

The sixth annual Beyond Boundaries: Integrating Technology into Teaching and Learning Conference is set for Thursday and Friday, Oct. 4-5, at the Memorial Union. Keynote speakers are Shirley Waterhouse and Randy Bass. Register by Friday, Sept. 21, and save $25.

Dr. Waterhouse represents the office of the provost directing the Centers for Teaching and Learning Excellence for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). In this role she oversees faculty development, initiates faculty incentive programs, addresses critical faculty issues, and initiates elearning projects for this worldwide, multi-campus institution with residential campuses in Arizona and Florida and 130 teaching centers located throughout the world. While a full-time professor in the ERAU Department of Computer Science, Dr. Waterhouse won the outstanding teaching award, bestowed by graduating seniors, 11 out of 14 semesters.

She is also president of eLearnGlobal, a small consulting practice that focuses on faculty development and strategic planning.

Randy Bass is assistant provost for Teaching and Learning Initiatives at Georgetown University, and executive director of Georgetown's Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship (CNDLS), a campus-wide center supporting faculty work in new learning and research environments. He has been working with a number of pedagogy and technology projects since 1986, including serving as director and principal investigator of the Visible Knowledge Project, a five-year scholarship of teaching and learning project involving 70 faculty on 21 university and college campuses.

He is also a consulting scholar for the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, where he served, in 1998-99, as a Pew Scholar and Carnegie Fellow. In 1999, he won the Educause Medal for outstanding achievement in technology and undergraduate education.

Full conference registration is $125, which includes materials, continental breakfasts, lunches, Thursday evening reception and access to the Exhibit Hall, if you register on or before Friday, Sept. 21. Register early!

Registration forms are available at www.beyondboundaries.info . You may register online using your credit card to print a registration form that can be mailed or faxed. You may also call UND Office of Conference Services at 777-2663 or 866-579-2663 (toll free) to register. A complete registration brochure will be mailed the week of Sept. 10. If you'd like to be added to our mailing list, please let us know at conferences@mail.und.nodak.edu (subject: Beyond Boundaries).

The next meeting of the Institutional Review Board will be at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, in 305 Twamley Hall. All research proposals submitted to the Office of Research Development and Compliance before Tuesday, Sept. 25, will be reviewed.

Clinical medical projects must be reviewed by the Clinical Medical Subcommittee before being brought to the full board. Proposals for these projects are due in the Office of Research Development and Compliance before Tuesday, Sept. 18.

Minutes from the meeting will be available in the RD&C approximately one week after the meeting. -- Research Development and Compliance.

U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan unveiled a list of prominent keynote speakers that will headline the ninth annual Great Plains Technology Conference Oct. 8 and 9 in Fargo, N.D. He was joined in the announcement by David Martin, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Fargo Moorhead.

Dorgan said the 2007 Technology Conference will focus on technological innovations that will have a significant effect on the way companies in the Upper Midwest do business. Those attending the conference will hear from a diverse and prominent group of keynote presentations, including:

· Lou Dobbs, anchor and managing editor of "Lou Dobbs Tonight" on CNN.
· Fred Smith, President and CEO, and Robert Carter, executive vice president of FedEx Corporation.
· Kyle Warnick, Microsoft, will give a demonstration of Surface, the company's latest cutting-edge technology.
· Jonathan S. Adelstein, member of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
· Tom Hunter, president and laboratories director at Sandia National Laboratory, one of the federal government's top research labs.

"The lineup of speakers at this year's Technology Conference includes some exciting names that I think will add a lot to our conversation about technology and business in the Great Plains," Dorgan said.

"To have some major figures from the business world, media and government come for a conference in the middle of a thriving Red River Valley Research Corridor says good things about the reputation of our state. Nearly everyone will be able to find something that interests them at this conference, and I look forward to kicking it off in October."

Arne H. Graff, M.D. will address "Child and Adolescent Abuse -- A Revew" at the Brown Bag lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9 in the College of Nursing, 201 back. The event is sponsored by Family in Community faculty in the College of Nursing.-- Jan Orvik, Writer/Editor, University Relations, janorvik@mail.und.nodak.edu, 777-3621

There are many safety issues to think about this holiday. Tim Lee and I will present a class on this topic through U2 in early October. The class will cover such areas as fire safety, assuring there is adequate light, costume guidelines, trick and treating tips, safe decorating, and other topics. Even if you cannot attend this class, perhaps there is someone in your department who may be interested. The class is "Don't Let Halloween Safety Spook You Out!" It is being offered from 10:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Oct. 10, at 211 Skalicky Tech Incubator. Please call 777-2128 to register. We hope to see you there! -- Claire Moen, RN.

The North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute (ND WRRI) has announced its 2008 Graduate Research Fellowship program.

UND and NDSU graduate students who are conducting or planning research in water resources areas may apply for fellowships varying from three summer months to a full year in duration. Typically in the past, fellowship awards for master’s degree students have been in the range of $800 to $1,000, and for doctoral students is has been $1,000 to $1,400 per month. The fellowship funds must be applied between March 1, 2008 and Feb. 28, 2009.

Projects proposed for fellowship support should relate to water resources research issues in the state or region. Regional, state or local collaborations or co-funding will strengthen an application. Fellowships have a matching requirement of two non-federal dollars to one federal dollar. Applicants should have a plan of study filed and should have a thesis research topic chosen at the time of applying. Applications need to be prepared in consultation with advisers. Advisers of the applicant should co-sign the applications. Applications from students and advisers who have not met the reporting requirements of their previous fellowship projects will not be considered for funding.

The general criteria used for proposal evaluation include scientific merit, originality of research, research related to state or region, and extent of regional, state or local collaboration and/or co-funding.

Applications are due in the office of the director by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16. The proposals will be reviewed by a panel of faculty members and state water resources research professionals. Announcement of awards will be made by early January.

Consult the ND WRRI website, http://www.ndsu.edu/wrri, for background on the program, and guidelines for preparation of applications. Applicants and advisers who are new to the program are urged to contact ND WRRI director, G. Padmanabhan, at (701) 231-7043, or G.Padmanabhan@ndsu.nodak.edu.

Midterm grade rosters for Fall 2007 will be available for entry of midterm deficiency grades by faculty Oct. 4.

Midterm deficiency grades for Fall 2007 must be recorded in PeopleSoft by noon Friday, Oct. 12. At that point, the registrar's office will run a process to generate letters to all students for whom deficient grades are recorded (grades of D, F, or U). Any deficiency grades entered after that point will not be included in these notifications to students, and contacting those students becomes the responsibility of the course instructor.

Faculty must review every roster for midterm deficiencies, enter and save deficient grades, if any, and then change the roster status to "Ready For Review" and save it when they are finished with each roster. This status change signifies that the roster is "official" for midterm purposes. The status needs to be changed even when there are no deficiency grades to be recorded the class.

If faculty members can log in to PeopleSoft, but cannot access a roster they are expecting to be able to update, they should contact Marge in the registrar's office at 777-2150. The cause usually has something to do with how the data is recorded in the PeopleSoft Schedule of Classes.

The instructions for midterm grading can also be accessed on the web at http://www.und.edu/dept/registrar/FacultyStaff/FacultyStaff.htm .
-- Ray Pospisil, assistant registrar.

Enrollment Services appreciates your willingness to participate in the recruitment activities that are planned throughout the year. Knowing that advanced warning is useful as you plan your year's activities, please consider this summary of the main Saturday events for which your assistance is requested. Please mark your calendars - more specific details will precede each event. You'll notice that our Saturday large-group activities are focused around three weekends throughout the year in an attempt to minimize extra work-load for faculty and staff.

Saturday Recruitment Events:
Nov. 3 - Fall Open House (audience: mainly high school seniors)
Feb. 2 - Spring Open House (audience: high school juniors and seniors)
April 5 - Transfer Student Getting Started hosted by Student Success Center (audience: transfer students needing advisement and course registration)

Since our conversion to PeopleSoft we have noticed a large amount of retros (salary redistributions) taking place. This has created a lot of headaches for the campus as a whole. In trying to reduce the retros we have implemented the following process for grant and contract awards:
• The first week of every month Grants and Contracts Administration will run a query identifying all projects with end dates for the prior month.
• This list will be distributed to the appropriate grants officer to determine if an extension or modification to the project is in progress. If there is no extension or modification in progress, the grants officer will mark the projects to have the HR Combo Code deleted.
• Once it is determined the HR Combo Code should be deleted, a memo along with a spreadsheet, identifying the projects, is sent to the department informing them they will need to process the necessary paperwork to move the salary on the project to another funding source.
• If the department is anticipating an extension or an award modification, the department chair or dean should initiate a memo to Grants and Contracts Administration accepting the financial risk in the event a modification is not forthcoming. This needs to be done in a timely manner by the 15th of the month.
• After the 15th of the month, Grants and Contracts Administration will forward the list of projects to payroll and the Combo Code will be deleted.

The end result is payroll will not be allowed to post to grant and contract projects after the end date.

Items you will need to be aware of:
• Position Funding forms must be submitted immediately for any positions that still list the deleted Combo Code on the department budget table.
• Deleted Combo Codes should no longer appear on hourly reporting forms after the project end date.
• The appropriate Combo Code used on time cards.
• Due to the short turnaround time in Payroll, if a department is not responsive, Payroll will pick a department fund to charge the payroll.
• Extension requests or modification requests to awards need to be signed by Barry Milavetz, the authorized organizational representative.

Eligible faculty and staff who wish to apply for developmental leave projects for the 2008-09 academic year may submit proposals to the faculty member’s chair and dean or the staff member’s administrative supervisor. Faculty and staff who expect to submit an application should discuss their plans with the appropriate supervisor(s) prior to formally submitting a proposal. Developmental leaves are funded from existing resources in the departments and colleges.

Developmental leave applications and copies of the State Board of Higher Education Policy 701.2 governing developmental leaves are available on the Office of Academic Affairs web site, www.und.edu/dept/vpaa/acadaffr/AAForms.html.

Please consider the following before applying for a developmental leave:
• At least six years of regular service should have elapsed since one’s initial appointment or since the last developmental leave.
• A final report addressing the outcomes of the previous leave must have been filed. These reports indicate the likelihood the candidate can successfully accomplish the proposed plan of work.
• A substantive tangible product is the ultimate expected outcome.
• The proposed project should not be the subject of an earlier developmental leave.
• The proposed project should benefit significantly from, or would not be possible without, the developmental leave.
• Developmental leaves to take place locally must clearly address the reasons why the proposed work could not be done elsewhere.

Preference will be given to proposals that:
• Involve significant travel elsewhere;
• Have some support (financial or otherwise) from another source (or institution).

Other guidelines:
• Normally, a maximum of two faculty per academic department may take leaves concurrently.
• Requests for one year of support should normally involve two consecutive semesters.
• Faculty who are on developmental leave should refrain from participating in departmental governance and on committees.
• Faculty planning to apply for a developmental leave should consult with the departmental chairperson and the dean of the college before submitting a proposal.

Applications will be reviewed at the college and/or administrative supervisory level. All proposals are due in the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs on or before Nov. 15. The applications will also be reviewed by the Council of Deans, the provost, and the president. Final approval of the proposals must await the approval by the State Board of Higher Education of UND’s 2008-09 salary budget. – Greg R. Weisenstein, provost and vice president for academic affairs. -- Connie Gagelin, Administrative Officer, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, conniegagelin@mail.und.nodak.edu, 777-2165

The Office of Research and the Graduate School have published guidance for requesting tuition from grants. The document can be viewed at www.graduateschool.und.edu/docs/tuitionfromgrants.pdf -- Gary E. Johnson, interim vice president for research, and Joseph Benoit, dean of the Graduate School.

UND alumni and friends helped make the 2006-07 fiscal year the most successful in that of the UND Foundation’s 29-year history. The UND Foundation has recorded a total of $36 million in new gifts and pledges for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, surpassing the prior record of just over $20 million in fiscal 2005-06. Total assets have grown from $161 million to over $205 million, another record for the Foundation.

And, an incredible 13,215 alumni and friends supported UND as donors in fiscal 2006-07. This is up by nearly 400 donors from the year before.

The UND Foundation provided $13.2 million in programs and support for the University, its students and faculty. Of the $13.2 million, more than $3.2 million supported student academic and athletic scholarships.

“The record smashing success of this fiscal makes it clear our alumni and friends understand the importance of philanthropy making UND the nationally competitive institution it is. Their investment in educational and economic development through the UND Foundation benefiting the University of North Dakota provides the funding necessary to give students the collegiate experience that gives them the competitive edge upon gradation,” said Tim O’Keefe, executive vice president and CEO of the UND Foundation. “This is a great example of alumni and friends believing in the future vision of UND, wanting to play a role in what UND is today and tomorrow. We are grateful for the continued dedication, support and faith in UND, the UND Foundation and our mission.”

The UND Foundation continues to have a need for unrestricted donations critical to responding to changing needs at UND from year to year. It is important to have the flexibility to direct financial support toward changing priorities.Unrestricted endowments are the vehicle to provide flexible funding into perpetuity as a result of income generated from these endowments.

The UND Foundation is the sister corporation of the University of North Dakota Alumni Association and was organized to receive alumni and other private gifts for the benefit of UND. The Foundation was established in 1978 with assets of approximately $1 million. As of June 30, 2007, the total assets are over $205 million.

The UND Alumni Association has a membership of more than 109,000 graduates, former students and friends, and conducts a comprehensive program of alumni relations throughout the nation. The UND Alumni Association and the UND Foundation are independent, nonprofit corporations. They are recognized among the most successful independent organizations for any public college or university of UND’s size in the nation.

Jon Jackson (anatomy and cell biology) was elected 2007-2009 vice chair/chair elect of the University Senate at that body's Sept. 6 meeting. Tom Petros (psychology) is the University Senate chair.

Olaf Berwald (languages) and Judy DeMers (School of Medicine) were elected for two-year terms as faculty representatives on the Committee on Committees.

Dexter Perkins (geology) was elected to a two-year term as faculty representative, and Student Body President Jay Fisher was elected to a one-year term as student representative on the Senate Executive Committee. The Executive Committee, which establishes the agenda for meetings of the University Senate and acts in the Senate's place when necessary between Senate meetings, also includes Senate chair Tom Petros (psychology); Senate vice chair/chair elect Jon Jackson (anatomy); Senate secretary, Suzanne Anderson (registrar); Senate immediate past chair, Doug Munski (geography); faculty representative Will Gosnold (geology); faculty representative Thad Rosenberger (pharmacology); and Greg Weisenstein, provost.

The Women Studies personnel committee invites interested faculty to apply for the position of interim director for 2008, with possible extension to a three-year position. It is an exciting time for the program. This fall we will celebrate the program’s 25th anniversary during the Red River Women Studies group's annual conference, to be held on our campus Nov. 16. The 20 affiliated faculty are currently considering the expansion of program offerings, such as a post-baccalaureate certificate or graduate minor, and are discussing alignment of the program with the new general education essential skills requirements. We are seeking an individual with the potential to lead this sort of restructuring of the program.

Applicants should have experience teaching relevant courses such as Introduction to the Study of Women (A&S 225), Feminist Theory (A&S 480), departmental courses focused on women or gender, or a scholarly agenda that has a significant gender component. The Women Studies Program offers an undergraduate minor; a major is available through the Interdisciplinary Studies program.

Responsibilities involve working collaboratively with Women Studies faculty and the executive committee to plan and guide the program, including preparing course schedules, supervising one or more student assistants, evaluating the program's courses and curriculum, preparing the annual report, representing the program as a member of the College of Arts and Sciences Council, strategic planning and working toward the goals of the strategic plan, teaching senior study and service learning, and convening monthly meetings of the program's executive committee. The ideal candidate will provide leadership across the campus regarding research and teaching by and about women. Successful experience in leading faculty-driven initiatives or in administering an academic program is desirable.

The minimum compensation for the interim director includes a one-course alternative work assignment, a two-week summer stipend, and the possibility of a personal research allowance. In the past, additional released time has been negotiated within directors' departments.

Please send a description of your vision and qualifications for this position, along with a cv, sample of publications, and the names and affiliations of three people who would provide a reference for you. Send these materials to Women Studies Program, Mail Stop 7113, by Sept. 30. For questions or further information, please contact Sandra Donaldson (sandra.donaldson@und.edu) or Lana Rakow (lanarakow@mail.und.nodak.edu) or Kathy Tiemann (kathleen.tiemann@und.edu).-- Sandra Donaldson, Chester Fritz Professor, English and Women Studies, Sandra.donaldson@und.edu, 775-4096

TIAA-CREF has set up their dates for one-on-one counseling sessions for the fall semester. The sessions are with a consultant from the TIAA-CREF Chicago office. These sessions are available for you to discuss your current plan, tax sheltering, rollovers, investment performance or retirement options. To schedule an appointment, please call (800)732-8353 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. If you wish to call after hours please call (800) 842-2009 extension 2456.

Public and rural health professionals are invited to submit abstracts for the 2008 Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health, March 26-28, at the Ramada Plaza Suites and Convention Center in Fargo, N.D. Presentations should feature innovative community and/or research projects that can be replicated with an emphasis on educating professionals and developing partnerships. Submissions must be completed no later than Monday, Sept. 17, by 5 p.m. CST. http://www.med.und.nodak.edu/depts/rural/dakotaconference/-- Amanda Scurry, Communication Coordinator, UND Center for Rural Health, ascurry@medicine.nodak.edu, 701-777-0871

The Office of Enrollment Services is currently accepting applications for UND student ambassadors for the 2007-2008 academic year. As an integral part of the orientation process, ambassadors work with new students to prepare them for University life. Student ambassadors also talk about UND with students at their high schools, help with recruitment and retention projects, and represent the University at various campus events.

The qualities of a good student ambassador include a strong academic background, involvement in campus and community activities, and effective leadership and communication skills. Students reflecting a positive outlook on campus life and displaying a caring attitude toward their fellow students will best serve this program.

I would appreciate your assistance in recruiting qualified leaders. Please submit the names of students you feel would be an asset to the program to: Kristi Nelson, Stop 8135, or e-mail referrals to: kristinelson@mail.und.nodak.edu by Sept. 24. I will send these students information about the program. If you have any questions about the Student Ambassador Program, please call 777-6468. -- Kristi Nelson, Special Projects Coordinator, Enrollment Services, kristinelson@mail.und.nodak.edu, 701.777.6468

Facilities Discoverer Reports Training
Sept. 12, 11 a.m. to noon, 361 Upson II
The billing charges from facilities will be posted to PeopleSoft in a summarized format. To access the detailed information, each department will need to have access to Discoverer reports and be trained on how to access the detail and summary information for their departments. These reports will break down the charges by individual work orders and/or projects. Presenter: Laura Thoreson.

Asset Management and Insurance
Sept. 17, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Room 10-12, Swanson Hall
Instructions and discussion on how to perform annual inventories using PeopleSoft. This session will also cover basic information that departments should know about asset management and insurance issues. Presenters: Hazel Lehman and Corrinne Kjelstrom.

GroupWise 7.0 Beginning
Sept. 18, 1 to 4 p.m., 361 Upson II
Students will navigate through the GroupWise environment, create and send messages, reply to and forward messages, use the address book, create a personal address book, create a mail group, work with calendar, schedule posted appointments and recurring events, work with junk mail folder, and other mail handling features. Presenter: Heidi Strande.

Train the Trainer in Ergonomics
Sept. 19, 9:30 to 11 a.m., Auxiliary Services Conference Room
This is a mandatory class for all supervisors, those who supervise others for the University of North Dakota. This is a new requirement by the State Risk Management Division in Bismarck. The new UND Ergonomic Program will be reviewed. In addition an introductory explanation of ergonomics, which is to be shared with your staff members, will be presented. UND administration supports this effort. Part of our Workers Compensation discount depends on participation in this class. Certificates will be presented and attendance monitored. We look forward to as many as possible attending. Presenter: Claire Moen.-- Sara Satter, U2 Program Assistant, Continuing Education, sarasatter@mail.und.edu, 777-2128

This fall the Dakota Science Center is helping the Cornell Lab of Ornithology by participating in the bur oak acorn collection study. Mature acorns from bur oaks are being collected across the Midwest to determine their distribution. The data collected will help the Cornell Lab of Ornithology determine the availability of this food source for birds. To participate in this study email Laura Munski (lmunski@yahoo.com). She will send you the bur oak identification file and the instruction file. You and your family can collect bur oak acorns as a fun science activity. -- Laura Munski, executive director, Dakota Science Center.

Check out the Wellness Center's Burnt Toast classes for a new spin on healthy cooking. A variety of classes are offered every week. All classes are offered in the evening with a minimum or no fee!

Sit back and enjoy watching how to cook some of your favorite meals in a healthy way, as well as learning nutritional information about the food you eat and get a sample of the dishes. With classes such as Heart Healthy Cooking and Healthy Cooking with Adele, everyone can find something to tickle their taste buds!

The University is seeking student nominations for the “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges” program, which honors outstanding students on campuses all across the country.

The selection committee, composed of UND faculty, staff, and students, evaluates each applicant on scholarship ability, participation, leadership in academic and extracurricular activities, citizenship, service to UND and potential for future achievements.

Each applicant must be currently enrolled at UND and must have a minimum of 60 credits as of the completion of the 2007 summer term. Both graduate and undergraduate students are eligible for the yearly award and past recipients may reapply.

To nominate students, please submit the names and local addresses to Linda Rains, Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, Memorial Union, Stop 8385. All nominations must be received by 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19. For further information about the nomination or application process, conact Linda Rains by phone at 777-4076 or email at lindarains@mail.und.edu. -- Linda Rains, Coordinator of Civic Leadership, Memorial Union, lindarains@mail.und.edu, 701-777-4076

Lotus Meditation Center, 2908 University Ave., lists the following classes:

Insight Meditation for Beginners
Mondays, 6 to 7 p.m., Sept. 17 to Oct. 15
Five-week progressive course in the fundamentals of Insight Meditation. Classes are taught by Lora Sloan Anderson, Ph.D., LMC director and clinical psychologist, and Patrick Sloan Anderson, a former Buddhist monk in the Thai Theravada Forest Tradition. Free of charge and open to all. Call before attending if you do not have a UND parking permit. For more information contact Lora at (701) 787-8839.

Living Our Love, a weekend retreat with Ginny Morgan: Oct. 5-7 (non-residential)
This retreat will be held Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. The teacher is Ginny Morgan of Columbia, Mo. Instruction in sitting and walking meditation, as well as loving kindness and equanimity practices will be offered. Registration is required. Scholarships are available. For more information contact Lora at 787-8839.

Friday evening talk: Oct. 5, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Visiting teacher Ginny Morgan from Columbia, Mo. will give a talk on the theme of living our love. The talk is free of charge and open to all. For more information contact Lora at 787-8839. -- Lotus Meditation Center.

Alltel and Verizon are offering discounted cell phone plans to state employees. The e-mail address for Alltel is alltel.business.partner.employee.program@alltel.com. Existing Verizon Wireless customers can register for a discount by visiting www.verizonwireless.com/getdiscounts. Employees who would like to sign up for new service with Verizon Wireless or upgrade existing equipment can contact Josh Belzer at Joshua.Belzer@VerizonWireless.com.

Have you been thinking about wanting to live a healthier lifestyle but have no idea where to start? We have the answer for you! The Work Well program is randomly selecting four faculty or staff members that are ready to jump on the road to wellness. We will work with you for the next eight months as you begin taking steps towards a healthier lifestyle. As part of this program you will receive:
* A free one-year membership to the Wellness Center
* Two fitness assessments (pre and post) personal training sessions at no cost to you
* A free pass to attend a “Burnt Toast” cooking class every month
* Weekly sessions with a wellness coach

Does this sound too good to be true? It’s not! All you have to do is contact Leah Wagner at leahwagner@mail.und.nodak.edu or 777-0842. Four lucky people will be randomly selected from all of the applications and begin the journey to wellness!-- Leah Wagner, Coordinator for Burnt Toast, Wellness Center, leahwagner@mail.und.edu, 777-0842

Voice and guitar lessons taught by experienced teachers are again being offered for children and adults at all levels of expertise. Musiktanz, a comprehensive music program for pre-school children, will start Sept. 17 in 258 Hughes Fine Arts Center. Call 777-2830 for information or to sign up.

The following position vacancies are available only to regular UND staff employees who have successfully completed their six-month probation period, earn annual and sick leave, receive BC/BS health insurance and TIAA-CREF or ND PERS retirement benefits. Current UND faculty, please contact Human Resources for eligibility.

What many consider the best coaching staff in Division I men's hockey should stay together at their Alma Mater at least until 2012, thanks to a new five-year contract for UND's men's head hockey coach Dave Hakstol. The contact also provides compensation for associate head coach Cary Eades, and assistant coach Dane Jackson.

"This is an important step for UND as we enter the official exploratory year of taking all of our athletic teams to the Division I level, where they'll join our men's and women's hockey teams. This action solidifies the nationally recognized Division I program we've had in place for several decades and provides a solid foundation for the future," said Phil Harmeson, vice president for general administration. UND Athletics reports to Harmeson.

"The contract also recognizes the great job Coach Hakstol and his team has done and are doing," said Harmeson. "Few other coaches in collegiate hockey have achieved what Coach Hakstol has achieved in just three years: three consecutive trips to the Frozen Four, three times named a finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award, given annually to the NCAA Division I Men's Hockey Coach of the Year, just to name a few."

Harmeson said the contract, which makes the coaching staff's salaries competitive with the leading collegiate hockey programs in the nation, was made possible in large part due to hockey supporters who were willing to help finance part of the salaries. The five-year contract puts Hakstol's base salary at $210,000 a year, with incentives of up to 25 percent of that base if he and the team reach certain goals, such as playing in the Frozen Four. The contract also includes $50,000 annually in deferred compensation, and a total of $190,000 that he can split between his coaching staff; they can earn up to 25 percent of that figure in incentives if they and the team meet certain goals. There is no deferred compensation for the other coaches.

"This is an excellent package for UND athletics and the hockey program," said Tom Buning, UND athletic director. "We've been working on this package for a while, the administration put on the finishing touches."

Hakstol praised the administration for establishing the multi-year contracts: "I am happy that this package recognizes our entire coaching staff. It provides stability for our coaching team and allows us the opportunity to continue to work together in what we consider the best place in hockey. We can continue to concentrate on what is important; developing young men and winning hockey games." The contract will also give top young recruits confidence to sign on with the program knowing that the staff will be here when they begin their careers at UND. Several future committed players for the Sioux are already considered to be among the elite players in North America.

Hakstol also praised the administration for moving the entire UND athletics program into Division I. "President [Charles] Kupchella has set the tone for the future by moving all of our sports to the DI level. By putting Phil Harmeson in a vice president position overseeing athletics, he has made clear the importance of this successful transition for all of us, including the hockey program. We are on solid ground, and every one is working in the same direction."

Dave Hakstol has been the head coach of the men’s hockey team since July 2004, when he became just the 15th head men’s hockey coach in school history and only the fourth Fighting Sioux head coach in the past 36 years.

A key in Hakstol’s success has been surrounding himself with an outstanding coaching staff. Cary Eades, former Sioux standout, was promoted to associate head coach, and Hakstol later hired former Sioux and NHL player Dane Jackson as an assistant coach. Jackson brought 11 years of experience as a professional hockey player along with an outstanding coaching resume to the UND staff. -- Athletics.

Donald I. Smith, former associate dean at the School of Aerospace Sciences, died Sept. 1 at his home in Bemidji, Minn. He was 85.

Smith, the son of Forest and Elizabeth (Schwed) Smith, was born Sept. 7, 1921 in Brooklyn, N.Y. He graduated from Jamaica High School. He formed and led the band "Don Smith, His Piano and His Orchestera." Smith earned industrial mechanical engineer and bachelor of mechanical engineering degrees from Technology Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and completed graduate work at Columbia University and Harvard Business School. He served with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theatre in WW II and was awarded a Purple Heart. He married Ann-Marie Bollinger April 29, 1944 in New York.

His aviation career began at the Ranger Engine Division of Fairchild Aviation. Then he joined Lockheed Aircraft Service Corporation as staff engineer, then plant engineer. He designed the world's first suspended cantilever hangar, receiving worldwide recognition and Outstanding Building and Design Award by the New York City Chamber of Commerce. Smith established his own company, AIRSECO dedicated to the design and manufacture of aircraft ground support equipment, designing the first portable cargo elevator. He served as vice president, general manager, and executive vice president and director at Dalto Electronics, the prime contractor to the Lunar Landing Orbital Simulator for training astronauts for navigation in space. He designed and supervised the consstruction of a mobile trailer for the atmospheric research program for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, as well as the first Automated Cargo Retrieval System for Pan American, and won a Design Award from American Airlines for his concept of an easily assembled portable Passenger Terminal.

Smith served as a consultant to airlines and airports throughout the United States and abroad. Due to his vast connections worldwide, he invited Buzz Aldren to Grand Forks to establish the master's degree curriculum in aerospace studies.

Taking early retirement from industry, he devoted his time to teaching at the School of Aerospace Sciences at UND. He served as engineering consultant, associate professor, chair, associate dean, and executive director of the UND Aerospace Foundation. He drafted and negotiated a proposal for bringing China Airlines of Taiwan to Grand forks.

While at UND, he organized the first four-year degree curriculum in business with a major in airport administration. He was the recipient of the Edgar Dale Faculty Teaching Award for outstanding teaching and loyal service to UND. He was the principal author of the first textbook on airport planning and management presently being used by airport managers and directors in both the United States and Canada. He established the first internship program for students' summer employment at many airports across the country. He established a program with George W. Elliott to bring Canadian students to UND. Because he significantly contributed to the development of the School of Aerospace Sciences at the UND, in 2002 he was honored by a $1 million endowment fund within the UND Foundation in his name by James C. Ray.

In 1993, Smith was nominated for the North Dakota Innovator of the Year Award for founding Technology Applications Group Inc (TAG), a company that pioneered a successful process to coat magnesium.

He was a past commander in the Power Squadron, a volunteer organization which promotes boating safety. He was an avid classic car collector, a Mason, and while in Grand Forks, he belonged to the Rotary Club. His musical talent was featured in Dick King's Swing Band in Grand Forks for many years. He and Ann-Marie moved to Bemidji in 2005.

He is survived by his wife Ann-Marie Smith of Bemidji, two daughters: Cheryl (Ed) Rogers of Cumming, Ga.; Rev. Dr. DeeAnn (John) Klapp of Correctionville, Iowa; six grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.

He was precedeed in death by his parents and a brother, David.-- Jan Orvik, Writer/Editor, University Relations, janorvik@mail.und.nodak.edu, 777-3621